by Claire Angel
Single Dad’s Fake Marriage
A Billionaire Romance
(Billionaire Lovers Series Book 1)
CLAIRE ANGEL
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Single Dad’s Fake Marriage: A Billionaire Romance
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
More Books by Claire Angel!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Copyright © 2019-20 by Claire Angel
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. While, as in all fiction, the literary perceptions and insights are based on life experiences and conclusions drawn from research, all names, characters, places and specific instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.
Single Dad’s Fake Marriage: A Billionaire Romance
Single Dad’s Fake Marriage: A Billionaire Romance
Blurb:
My fake husband is a toughest mystery to solve and a hard nut to crack…
He needs a fake wife and I need money.
It was supposed to be a simple contact but I am falling for him.
Looking into his eyes makes me weak.
And this fake marriage feels so real.
I feel like giving love another chance.
But… he gives me mixed signals.
One moment he acts as we are really married.
And the next moment he keeps me at a distance.
I sold my soul and now he has my heart as well.
He ignores me and turns cold.
He acts like a spoiled brat and rude at times.
I have to be careful and protect my heart.
But everything ended with us sleeping together.
What a disaster…
And now he again has turned ice cold.
How can I even forget that it was just a simple contract?
***
Chapter 1
Xander
“This court has, in the past and will continue to do so in the future, considered the child’s best interest. It is a pity that this child is only three years old and as such, cannot contribute to the decision. I have, however, considered the facts before me and I have weighed each option before me, but I have found that each possibility has some form of shortage. Mr. Xander Paul, the father, has the economic support and the historical proof that he is capable of handling the responsibilities of raising a child. But as the child will need a mother figure also, especially as she is a young girl, I find it difficult to award full legal custody to him.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It felt like the air was being knocked out of my chest. Did Lolita’s lies affect the judge’s decision? The voice of the judge faded into the background and I couldn’t listen to another word. There were so many thoughts running through my mind and I was thinking of that one night of foolishness almost four years ago. What was I thinking back then?
My lawyer, Michael, tapped me on my shoulder when he noticed that my mind was wandering. I stared at him and I’m sure my face showed every ounce of frustration and confusion I was feeling. We had worked together before on liability cases and he had promised me that he would be able to handle this case. I had paid him good money but for what? For failure? I knew I had to sit still as standing up and storming out will only make my case weaker.
“This is good news. At least he recognized that you are the best option and that Lolita hasn’t exhibited all the qualities that he is looking for,” Michael said as if he could read my mind.
Lolita had no motherly qualities at all. It wasn’t that she was just lacking in some; she just had none. She had packed up and left when Kayla was only two months old. What type of mother does that?
Michael’s voice broke through my thoughts as he said, “If you can get a mother figure for Kayla, the judge would probably consider awarding you full custody.”
My mouth fell open. What the fuck was that? Did he expect me to find a good wife and mother under some unturned stone or behind a bush in my garden? Michael stood and tapped me, signaling me to get up as well.
“Thanks, your honor.” I just stared at him as these words came out of his mouth. I had a million questions running through my mind and he kept silent without arguing much.
The judge stood up and left. It looked like the court had been adjourned and everything was for nothing. I still didn’t have full custody.
As we walked towards the door, Lolita suddenly appeared in front of me, chewing her gum as loud as she possibly could.
“You see, babe, my boyfriend and I have a better home for our girl. You may have money and good intentions, but you will see that we will get her in the end and you will just have to accept that.”
I seriously wanted to strangle the bitch. I fucking hated her. I clenched my jaw and curled my fists so hard that my nails started biting into my palms. She was smiling at me and chewing her gum as loud as possible with an open mouth, trying her best to annoy me beyond control as she knew how that sound gets to me. I hated that she even had a sliver of a chance to get her hands on Kayla.
We exited the courtroom and the paparazzi outside split us up. My bodyguard got us out quickly so that we could avoid any questions, but I could hear Lolita squawking false information to each and every question. I was going to have to give a full, exclusive interview with some magazine. Otherwise, that bitch was going to ruin not just Kayla’s life, but my reputation as well.
I noticed that Jared had caught up with us and he recommended grabbing a beer at my pub so that we could talk and strategize, but I just wanted to getaway. I was in such a daze that I allowed them to lead me to the parking lot. When we left for the courthouse this morning, I thought it would be an easy win. Unfortunately for me, Kayla needed a mother.
Everything still felt surreal to me when we reached the pub. I was supposed to walk out that courtroom with full legal and physical custody of my daughter. Instead, the court had decided to give me three months to get my affairs in order. I didn’t want any “affairs” to be in order, no pun intended. I just wanted my baby girl to be safe and secure in a life that she deserved. I knew money could not buy happiness, but at least I loved her and I knew what it was like to grow up without a mother.
Jared picked out our favorite spot: a table in one corner of the bar. The waiter came over and got our order. I asked for my usual, a single brandy on ice. You’d think a bar owner would be a big drinker, but I enjoyed the atmosphere and the conversations. I only kept my father’s pub for sentimental reasons. I didn’t want t
o change anything. The pub had always been a place for the working class and the general public, above board and it had a good reputation among the community. I hadn’t changed the prices in two years. This wasn’t my primary source of income, so I could afford to keep it running on subsidies.
As I looked over the afternoon crowd, I saw there were a few couples and a few friends at respective tables while 80’s and 90’s music was playing. Sitting there took me back to when my dad was still around. I missed him, especially now, when I needed him most. He definitely could have helped me. He had always been the family man, while I was more of a businessman.
I noticed a woman staring at me with lust in her eyes. She looked hot in her shimmering red dress. I knew when there was potential in a new invention, but I was never good at reading the intentions of the fairer sex. It had been so long since I decided to steer clear of the females that approached me.
“Xander, my friend, it appears you will have to put on your charm and catch a lady of worth to play the part of Kayla’s mother.” Jared’s words quickly brought me back to the present.
“What do you mean?” I looked at him with dark eyes, lost in my own thoughts.
Michael cleared his throat. “Your friend has a good point, Mr. Paul. It would be a good idea to show the court that you have the good intention of getting married.”
“Please, Michael, call me Xander. I cannot believe you agree with him on this. What will it look like if I suddenly bring a woman into my life and get married within three months? Wouldn’t that look awfully suspicious? I’m thankful for your willingness to try and help, but I don’t want to give the court the wrong impression.”
“Just hear us out, Xander. Don’t you have a girlfriend from your past or a girl you had liked before and never had the guts to ask out?” I couldn’t believe that Michael was going to push the matter.
I just shook my head and admitted that there hadn’t been anyone in a long time. “Lolita was just a one-night-stand. We were friends and I met her here at the bar, but I didn’t think anything would come of it. I know it was a mistake, but even if I could turn back time, I wouldn’t. Then I wouldn’t have Kayla in my life, either."
“Well, my friend. I have a whole list of girls that have indicated that they would like to start something with you.” Jared was giving me his teasing smile, raising his eyebrows and making kissing motions with his lips.
“Stop jerking around, Jared; we’re not teenagers. I don’t want some swooning floozy on my lap. I want a steady independent woman by my side. Someone that will be a good mother to Kayla and you don’t find those around every corner. Why are we even talking about this? It’s not a solution.” I knew I was getting irritated by the useless advice I was receiving from my so-called friends.
“Can we please change the subject for a while? Maybe we can come up with something better and more original than me hitting on every girl on Jared’s list.” I knew they were trying to help; they were my friends and well-wishers. But it didn’t mean I would be making some stupid decision. Luckily, they both agreed and we started talking about the latest deal that was on the table.
Michael was also my lawyer on a case regarding a tech company that had sued us for allegedly stealing their idea. However, with the proof that I had made contributions to their little company and the written documentation stating the scope of work they had to do for me, I was entirely in my rights.
It was my hobby to scan through the latest tech magazines and online information for the latest and greatest inventions. I had donated and invested a significant amount in that company. And once they had developed the technology to a point where I could mass-produce that, I took that over, paying them the best of royalties they could ask for and making my millions from the product.
I had made a reasonably good profit from all of my investments and developments. My father would have been proud, but I didn’t know if my mother would even have noticed anything. She was always the harsh one, strict to the last detail. That was probably the reason my parents got divorced. Dad was a loving family man who believed in enjoying the lighter side of life. Mom was ambitious and not satisfied with the average lifestyle that Dad was providing her. So she packed her things one day, took more than half of the businesses and money my dad had and joined a wealthy billionaire, John, out in Monaco.
Dad was crushed after that. He loved his wife and had tried his best to make her happy. But when you are only after money, you become emotionless. That greed makes you blind and you can’t see the wealth you already possess.
The pub was Dad’s lifeline. He had opened it shortly after the divorce. It was a mess that he almost got nothing out of it. There was too much pressure on Dad as John was a billionaire and had influenced lawyers and the judge. After three months of drawn-out court cases and lawyers, Dad gave up and gave more than half of the wealth to my mother. She didn’t want me as I would bind her to domestic life. It was an ugly affair and that the judge didn’t have any doubts about giving full custody to Dad. I was still in high school and it had scarred me for life. Maybe this was the reason I didn’t trust most of these women. I would rather be single than be cheated again.
Chapter 2
Diane
“Hi, Mom.” I fell into the chair next to Mom’s bed. I was exhausted and when my ass met the chair, I could feel the life draining out of my legs. I felt like I wouldn’t be able to stand up for the next few days. I unhooked my bra and loosened my belt to get some relief. I didn’t care about being at the hospital. I closed my eyes leaning my head back.
“Diane, is everything okay? You’re early and you look terrible.” She reached her hand out towards mine and I offered it to her. Our hands rested on the edge of her hospital bed. I gave a half-hearted smile as I was just too tired of putting on a mask of happiness all the time.
“After the last customer left, there were five minutes of dead silence in the shop, so I decided to call it a day.” I was lying through my teeth, but I didn’t want to upset her. There were still three tables drinking coffee and about to order when I lied to them as well. I told them that the cook had a family crisis and I had to let her off early. They understood, paid their bills and went on to the next available restaurant. I knew we needed the sales to bring in more money, but I wasn’t able to take another step or split myself in two for another minute.
Mom squeezed my hand, “Thank you for all your hard work. I really do appreciate it. I just wish we could afford some help for you so that you could get some rest every day. These long working hours from early mornings to late evenings aren’t healthy and then you come to the hospital and sit here with me. You don’t have any time for yourself anymore. You barely have enough time to sleep and eat properly.”
“I know, Mom. But I don’t know how else we’ll be able to afford all this.” I waved my hand all around the room, pointing towards all the machinery and equipment that were attached to my mother in some way or another. Cancer is a bitch. The chemo alone costs a fortune and the side effects keep her in the hospital for a week after each treatment.
Some of the regular customers still asked about Mom’s health, but most of them assumed that she had already passed on. I couldn’t accept that as quickly as they had. She was my lifeline and I needed her to be stronger and healthier. I wanted her back in command of the staff at the café and running a tight ship. I used to love sitting in the restaurant and just watch her do the work of three people, admiring her tenacity and energy. With a deep sigh, I realized that she was a Wonder Woman and I was not even in her league. I couldn’t do this for much longer.
We had to let the two waitresses and the cleaning lady go, as we had to cut costs to the bone if we were going to make ends meet. The cook had to take on the additional responsibility of cleaning the kitchen after each shift and during quieter times. Washing dishes was my responsibility. Actually, I was everything: the cashier, waitress and the manager. Each evening as the cook cleaned the kitchen, I would cash out and do the books. I was
going to do that at the hospital, even if it was just for a change of scenery.
Andrew had been helping a bit at the beginning of Mom’s treatment, but then he got tired of being the supportive boyfriend, understanding and encouraging me to stay on top of things. And one day, when I went to his apartment for a quick break, I caught him with another girl. I didn’t care to ask what her name was; I just wanted to get out of there. Life had a way of kicking you when you’re already down… With that thought running through my head, I just broke down and started crying.
“Mom, this is so hard. I don’t know if I can take this anymore.” I felt my tears rolling down my cheeks. My nose started running and I felt like a complete mess. Mom handed me a box of tissues and pulled me closer, hugging me and patting my back.
“I’m so sorry about everything, but soon it will be over. I’m a lot stronger this time and I won’t be in the hospital for the entire week. Then when I’m back at home, the bill will stop growing. I’m also planning on getting back to the café. Maybe I could just help run the register, or do the books at the end of each day. And I can help you with placing the orders for the stock. We will make a plan, sweetheart. Please don’t cry; everything will be alright. Leave the books here tonight and I’ll look at them. Go and take the night off. It looks like you need it and you definitely deserve it. I’m fine and this will give me something to focus on.” She tapped on the books which I had placed on her bed stand.
I just felt so weak and tired, but I knew my mom wouldn’t be able to lift a finger for more than ten minutes. I loved her dearly and it broke me to see her so weak. But I knew if I was going to continue working in the future, I had to take a break and relax. I wiped my tears and decided to follow her advice. I stepped outside to call Mimi, my best friend. She had helped me at the café before, but for now, I just needed some time away from everything.